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Event Detail

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Imagining the China of 2023

POSITIVE RSVP ONLINE ONLY:http://belfercenter.hks.harvard.edu/events/rudd_227.html
The Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs will host a
Director's Lunch with Hon. Kevin Rudd, former Prime
Minister of Australia, in the Belfer Center Library
(L369).
Kevin Rudd served as Australia’s 26th Prime Minister from 2007
until 2010 and again in 2013 for 11 weeks. During the interim years
from 2010 to 2012, he was the Australian Minister of Foreign
Affairs.
Mr. Rudd was elected as Leader of the Labor Party in 2006, the
third Labor leader to win the position from the opposition since
World War II. As Prime Minister, Mr. Rudd led Australia’s response
during the global financial crisis. Australia was the only major
advanced economy to avoid a recession, in large part due to the
Australian Government’s policy response, which the OECD/IMF
assessed as one of the most effective in the world. Mr. Rudd is
internationally recognized as one of the founders of the G20, the
premier global economic decision-making institution. He is
recognized as a major driving force behind the 2010 decision to
expand the East Asia Summit to include the United States in this
important regional institution. This was a major step forward in
realizing his longer term vision for an Asian Pacific Community,
first proposed in 2008. As Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mr.
Rudd also oversaw the doubling of Australian foreign aid over five
years, making Australia the seventh largest aid donor in the
world.
Mr. Rudd remains engaged in major international challenges
including global economic management, the rise of China, and the
global commitment to sustainable development. He co-authored the
2012 report from the United Nations Secretary General’s High Level
Panel on Global Sustainability, titled "Resilient People, Resilient
Planet." Nationally, he remains deeply engaged with questions
concerning Australia’s strategic and economic future in Asia,
aboriginal reconciliation, the teaching of Asian languages,
homelessness, and organ donation. As space is limited for this event, RSVPs will be
accepted on a first come, first served basis. Belfer Center Lunches
are strictly off-the-record. By requesting to attend the lunch, you
agree that you will comply with the Belfer Center's strict policy
against recording or disclosing the contents of the lunch. Your
access is conditioned on your compliance with these restrictions.
Should you violate these rules, the Center will pursue all
available legal options and you will be excluded from all future
events.